Philadelphia may be known for its iconic cheesesteaks, but don’t underestimate the city’s contributions to the street art world. The City of Brotherly Love is 2023’s “Best City for Street Art,” according to the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards contest. With thousands of art displays, colorful murals and sculptures, there’s no denying that Philly has one of the largest outdoor public art galleries in the United States.
The east coast city was chosen by a panel of experts, including editors from USA TODAY and 10Best.com. After careful review and consideration, Philadelphia took the top spot, beating out other major destinations, like Atlanta, Houston and Miami.
“Philadelphia’s vibrant street art scene quite literally paints a picture of our great city’s diverse people, history, and culture, bringing its rich stories to life in a visually intriguing way,” said Angela Val, president and CEO at Visit Philadelphia.
Take a walk through the city’s streets, and you’ll stumble upon incredible murals by local artists.
“This recognition is a tremendous moment to celebrate our public art, the artists who create it and shine a light on the broad range of art experiences visitors and residents can have in Philadelphia,” Val says.
Mural Arts Philadelphia
You can’t mention Philadelphia’s street art scene without acknowledging Mural Arts Philadelphia (Mural Arts). For the past 40 years, Mural Arts has worked to put Philly on the map as the “Mural Capital of the World.”
The organization has created over 4,000 artworks. This organization is the largest public art program of its kind in the country.
“I hope this accolade helps to amplify the stories of Philadelphia that live on our walls, in our streets, and in our communities,” said Jane Golden, executive director of Mural Arts.
A Pioneering City
The city pioneered the first Percent for Art program, which dates back to 1959. This program requires new construction and major renovation projects to allot 1 percent of its total budget to site-specific public art. This model has inspired many other cities to follow suit.
While visiting this city, enjoy walking around and discovering its many amazing restaurants, shops, and museums. USA TODAY also named Philadelphia the “Most Walkable City in the U.S.”
